The Great Northern Irish Pipers Club, the upper Midwest U.S.’s premier uilleann piping association, is pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed performing artists Joey Abarta, Tom Klein, and Tommy Martin will be the featured clinicians for its 2014 Tionól, to be held Saturday 27 September and Sunday 28 September 2014 at The Celtic Junction in St. Paul, Minnesota (836 Prior Avenue, 55104).

Featuring the innovative, lesson-oriented format we pioneered at last year’s GNIPC Tionól, we’ll again guarantee every attendee private instruction from visiting artists, in addition to group sessions led by the GNIPC’s senior pipers. And, of course, visiting artists will perform on Saturday evening (7:30 pm on 9/27/2014) in a GNIPC 2014 Tionól Concert, which will be free for Tionól attendees and open to the general public.

New this year: Uilleann Boot Camp!

Do you have a morbid curiosity about the uilleann pipes, but aren’t sure if they’re for you? Do you own a practice set, but never got past bottom D before stuffing it into a closet, and have long suspected that if a drill sergeant showed up and started yelling at you for a couple of days*, you might make a decent piper?

The GNIPC is here to help! If you’re truly an absolute beginner, you can register for the Tionól at the “Boot Camp” level for two full days of uilleann piping fundamentals: how to get your instrument set up and working, how to hold the chanter properly, how to play a D major scale, introductory piping lore (you’ll get breaks from playing), and even a tune or two. $99 gets you all that plus one private lesson with a guest artist (at your level), and one free concert ticket!

If you’re unsure you want to take that much of a plunge, you can attend just the first 90 minutes of Saturday morning’s Boot Camp session (basic instrument setup and your first couple of notes) at the low, low “Smell the Boot” price of $40. Upgrade to a full Boot Camp registration for an additional $59 at any time!

A limited number of Club practice sets are available for rent ($40 for the entire weekend). RSVP immediately to “information [at] gnipc dot org” if you’ll need a rental instrument.

Register for the Tionól Now! The $120 Tionól Registration Fee (non-Boot-Camp) covers two days of high-quality piping instruction and playing sessions, and includes admission to the Saturday night concert. GNIPC members who are current with dues receive an additional 10% off (you can renew your membership through Febr. 2015 here: http://www.gnipc.org/membership/ ).

Welcome

Welcome to the GNIPC - a piping club located in Minnesota dedicated to the national instrument of Ireland, the uilleann pipe. We host monthly meetings for beginners and experienced pipers. The club holds an annual tionól (pipers gathering) in September, hosts a quarterly open-mic event open to all traditional musicians, and hosts a traditional Irish music and dance tent at the Irish Fair in St. Paul every August. We'd love to have you join us!

Utilities

ABOUT THE PIPES

The Uilleann pipes are distinguished from many other forms of bagpipes by their sweet tone and wide range of notes – the chanter has a range of two full octaves, including sharps and flats – together with the unique blend of chanter, drones, and regulators. The regulators are equipped with keys enabling the piper to play simple chords, giving a rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment as needed. The Uilleann pipes have a unique harmonic structure, sounding sweeter and quieter than many other bagpipes, such as the Great Irish Warpipes or Great Highland Bagpipes. The Uilleann pipes are usually played indoors, and almost always played sitting down.

ABOUT THE CLUB

The Great Northern Irish Pipers’ was founded smetime in the 1900’s. We’re not certain when, do you know? If you do contact us and we’ll update this little item that talks about the history of the club.

ABOUT OUR TIONÓL

Our 2014 Tionól will once again be the middle of September. Keep your eyes on this spot for upcoming news and announcements.